Google is making strides in enhancing Android’s satellite connectivity capabilities, a feature that promises to redefine how users stay connected in areas lacking cellular service. With the introduction of a new Quick Settings tile and a dedicated menu, users will soon have a more streamlined way to manage these expanding functionalities.
Expanding Satellite Connectivity Features
Initially rolled out in last year’s Android update, satellite connectivity was limited to emergency messaging. However, advancements in technology have paved the way for a broader range of features, including WhatsApp calling and live location sharing, even in the absence of cellular coverage. As this technology becomes more integral to the Android ecosystem, Google is preparing to unveil new menus that will facilitate user access to these features in upcoming OS updates.
In the latest Android Canary build, a new toggle can be found under Settings > System > Developer Options > Quick Settings developer tiles, labeled “Satellite.” Activating this option introduces a dedicated Satellite tile to the Quick Settings panel, which can indicate three states: On, Available, and Not available. Interestingly, despite the hardware on the Pixel 9 supporting satellite connectivity, the tile remains marked as “Not available.”
This discrepancy arises from the tile’s requirement to check if the current cellular plan supports carrier roaming for Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). This feature allows devices to connect to satellite networks as if they were standard roaming partners. In this instance, the user’s T-Mobile plan does not include satellite access, thus rendering the tile inactive. Nevertheless, tapping the tile leads to a new “Satellite connectivity” landing page within Settings, showcasing a list of compatible apps.
The current selection includes Emergency SOS, Messages, Find Hub, Maps, and Settings. Tapping on “Emergency SOS” conveniently opens the Phone app with emergency services pre-dialed, while the other options direct users to their respective applications. Although a link for “More about satellite connectivity” is present, it currently leads to a non-functional page in this Canary build.
Interestingly, WhatsApp is notably absent from the list of compatible apps, despite Google’s prior announcement regarding its support for satellite voice and video calls. An examination of the underlying code reveals that the displayed app list varies based on whether the device and plan support LTE-based or Narrowband NTN. The latter is generally limited to emergency messaging and location tracking, while LTE-based NTN provides the necessary bandwidth for more robust functionalities.
If the Pixel 9 were to support LTE-based NTN, the app list would expand to include:
- AccuWeather
- Emergency SOS
- Google Maps
- Google Messages
- Google Weather
- Personal Safety
- Settings
- Snapchat
- X
The inclusion of AccuWeather, Google Weather, Snapchat, and X suggests that satellite support for these applications may be on the horizon. It is anticipated that Snapchat and X will leverage satellite connectivity for calling features akin to WhatsApp, while the weather apps are likely to utilize the network for updates. Furthermore, the presence of Personal Safety implies that “Emergency Sharing” features may also function over satellite. The absence of Find Hub from this extended list appears to be an oversight in the current code.
While the Satellite tile and landing page are operational in the latest Android Canary release, their public availability remains uncertain. Currently, the tile is accessible only through a specific developer option, suggesting it may be intended for testing purposes. However, the design of the linked landing page indicates a user-friendly approach, hinting at a future rollout for general users. It is possible that Google may choose to conceal the tile while allowing access to the page through alternative pathways in Settings. Observers will need to monitor future Android Canary releases to track the evolution of this promising feature.
